DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Several hundred South Asian migrant workers have held a rare protest in the heart of Dubai's financial district, temporarily blocking traffic and demanding higher wages.

The workers, dressed in their green construction outfits and matching hardhats, were seen negotiating with police Tuesday.

They are demanding higher wages for their work on the Fountain Views development, a project by Dubai-based Emaar Properties to build high-end apartments.

The United Arab Emirates-based The National reported that riot police formed lines around the workers, but did not arrest any.

The Dubai police said on their Twitter account that they "had reached, in less than an hour, an understanding that ended the gathering of Fountain Views workers demanding bonuses in the area of the Boulevard."